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Protest outside the Chongqing Intermediary Court, March 29, 2013. (Photo: SCMP Pictures)

Die-hard supporters of disgraced Communist Party Politburo member Bo Xilai gathered outside a Chongqing court on Thursday to defend his “triad-busting” legacy.

“The people of Chongqing do not welcome an organised crime lawyer,” one banner read, according to photos that spread on Sina Weibo and forums. “Fight organised crime, eliminate the evil.” Many of the comments on Weibo reflected some nostalgia for Bo’s rule, which ended last year and became China’s most spectacular political scandal in decades. “I only trust Bo Xilai,” one person commented on the photos. “Justice will prevail.”
The red banners they were holding were directed against lawyer Li Zhuang, who is leading appeals against what he says were politically motivated convictions during Bo’s tenure. He himself has been sentenced to two and half years in prison for fabricating evidence in 2010. The small protest shows that Bo, son of revolutionary hero Bo Yibo, still has at least some support in his former Central Chinese power base.
Bo gained popularity in the city for taking on Chongqing’s notorious organised crime. In 2009, he sacked the city’s police chief, Wen Qiang, who was eventually executed for corruption. Bo replaced him with his right-hand man Wang Lijun, who ran his much publicised “dahei”, or “fight organized crime” campaign. Thousands of people were arrested during the crackdown and many were tortured.  
While Bo is still awaiting trial, Wang was sentenced to 15 years in prison last September on charges of bribery, breaking the law, abuse of power and an attempted defection to the United States. He is now serving time in a prison on the outskirts of Beijing.
 
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